Refractometer Use

[packapoo]

I've long had one in my kit but given it little use.
Always, always have trouble getting the damn hydrometer to settle in the test jar where i can easily read it. Finally got tired of it and having read on this site a while back, the ease of going refracto, decided that's it from here on.
Problem I've encountered, for some reason at times the delineation line gets a little blurred, fiddle with the focus to sharpen it up but there's always a 'grey' area.
Watched a doco last night on a fruit grower, showed him using one to gauge progress of his fruit and noticed he used it, to me, upside down - cover was on the underside whereas I'd only used it other way up.
So I tried it today, had beer and wine I needed to progress.......Upside down delineation line is sharp. So easy.

Purely for WIIW.

[vino-tinto]

What did you expect, you live in New Zealand

[Icefever]

VT you are a one....

[gaza the instructor]

Now you've done it.
Love a bit of kit, just ordered one

[Mash]

Brilliant kit. Very good for starting. Get the right scale but use a hydrometer to finish.

I have two. One for sugar and one for alcohol.

[gaza the instructor]

Mine is alco !! do I need another???

[vino-tinto]

I only have the one, I use my excel calculator for start and finish readings.
It compensates for alchohol contents in the final reading.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6cs8twb6q3z34hn/Refractometer%20to%20Final%20SG%20Calculator1.xlt?dl=0

[Mash]

I have two because the scales are different and just make it easy.
1. Brix and potential alc. Upto 25%. I use this for starting fermentations.
2. Spirit. 10 to 100%. I use this for cuts.

The real gain is the speed and ease. You can do many tests till you get were you want. Literally it takes 5 seconds.